Matthew Henry was born near Wales on October 18, 1662 and was primarily home-educated by his father, Rev. Philip Henry, and also at the Thomas Doolittle academy from 1680-1682. Henry first started studying law in 1686, but instead of pursuing a career in law he began to preach in his neighborhood.

After the declaration of liberty of conscience by James II in 1687, he was privately ordained in London, and on June 2, 1687, he began his regular ministry as non-conformist pastor of a Presbyterian congregation at Chester. He remained in this position for 25 years. After declining several times offers from London congregations, he finally accepted a call to Hackney, London, and began his ministry there May 18, 1712, shortly before his death.

Henry's reputation rests upon his renowned commentary, An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (1708-10, known also as Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible). He lived to complete it only as far as to the end of the Acts, but after his death other like-minded authors prepared the remainder from Henry's manuscripts. This work was long celebrated as the best English commentary for devotional purposes and the expanded edition was initially published in 1896. Instead of critical exposition, Henry focuses on practical suggestion, and his commentaries contains rich stores of truths. There is also a smaller devotional commentary on the Bible from Henry known as Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

AT the time of his death in 1714, Matthew Henry had completed his work through Acts. After which time, 13 other nonconformist ministers (using Henry's notes) finished the work from Romans through Revelation. The first publication was out of London in 1833. ( )

the anonymous author of the article on Matthew Henry in the 11th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica (surely the last edition of that publication worth consulting) says that his commentary is "of no value as criticism". i wish we could bring him back to give us a definition of "criticism"--I think it might afford some amusement or instruction. i bet he couldn't give a definition satisfactory in his own day, let alone in ours.

A commentary on the entire Bible, in 10 volumes. Volume 5 is Matthew to John, wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: The sacred text is inserted at large in distinct paragraphs, where each paragraph has its proper head, and practical remarks and observations are useful.

Wikipedia in English (2)

The straightforward manner in which Matthew Henry's Commentary brings Scripture to bear on the practical matters of life and of Christian character together with its deeply reverent, devotional style, have made it the most beloved Bible commentary of all time. For nearly 300 years, Christians have consulted its rich insights into the very heart of God's Word. Passage by passage, its prayerful, penetrating reflections inspire and challenge the reader. This careful abridgment presents in one volume the wealth of exposition and comment, metaphors, analogies, and illustrations that have set Matthew Henry's Commentary apart as one of the enduring legacies of faith. It is ideal for -- Personal devotions - Bible study - Sermon and lesson preparation -- Forever fresh and never failing to render new pearls of wisdom, Matthew Henry's Commentary is a book you will reach for often to obtain deeper understanding of the Scriptures.